[Babubhat]

Florida Lawmakers Vote to Drop Building Permits on Projects of $7,500 or Less

A local government that issues building permits shall exempt an owner of a single-family dwelling or the owner’s contractor from the requirement to obtain a building permit to perform any work valued at less than $7,500 on the owner’s property,” reads House Bill 803.

[retiredguy123]

It sounds like a bad law to me. Also, it will put a lot of county inspectors out of a job.

Whenever you hire a contractor, ask for their license number and go to this website to verify it. Very quick and easy.

Licensing Portal - License Search

[CoachKandSportsguy]

I am not worried about some county inspectors, more worried about crappy designs and shady contractors doing crap work claiming the job was under the limit, and then requiring more money, or walking away, or just not doing code approved work. .

Every shady contractor is now open for business as a free for all

[retiredguy123]

Some states require a contractor to provide a written contract to the customer that states the scope of work and a fixed price before doing any work. If they don't provide it, the customer has no obligation to pay them anything. That is a law that we need in Florida.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

I am not worried about some county inspectors, more worried about crappy designs and shady contractors doing crap work claiming the job was under the limit, and then requiring more money, or walking away, or just not doing code approved work. .

Every shady contractor is now open for business as a free for all

Welcome to the Free State of Florida. Where the worst of the worst are free to ruin your day.

[blueash]

Fearless prediction if this becomes law... A huge increase in projects valued at 7499.99. In fact the wording seems not to prevent the hiring of several contractors all to work on my house, each doing a 7499.99 part of the project. And of course the ever scrupulous income tax avoiding contractors who will have a signed contract for 7499.99 but a handshake agreement for 10,000 in cash which will be for consultation to select a painter or some other way to disguise the work itself costing over the limit.

[Ruger2506]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

Florida Lawmakers Vote to Drop Building Permits on Projects of $7,500 or Less

A local government that issues building permits shall exempt an owner of a single-family dwelling or the owner’s contractor from the requirement to obtain a building permit to perform any work valued at less than $7,500 on the owner’s property,” reads House Bill 803.

Outstanding! We need less gubment oversight.

[Ruger2506]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

I am not worried about some county inspectors,

Right. Let's be honest. The only time the inspectors get out of their truck is to take their $50 bribe money off the signature post.

[Ruger2506]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Also, it will put a lot of county inspectors out of a job.

Whenever you hire a contractor, ask for their license number and go to this website to verify it. Very quick and easy.

Who cares. Let's be honest. The only time the inspectors get out of their truck is to take their $50 bribe money off the signature post.

[Babubhat]

Let’s see if insurance claims get denied if you fail to prove the work code compliant…. When examining claims, insurers often utilize building permit information in determining if work was properly completed, contributed to a loss, or if the contractor can be sued in subrogation for defective work….

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

Let’s see if insurance claims get denied if you fail to prove the work code compliant…. When examining claims, insurers often utilize building permit information in determining if work was properly completed, contributed to a loss, or if the contractor can be sued in subrogation for defective work….

If a building permit isn't required, insurance companies can't act on a permit's lack of existence.

[retiredguy123]

Personally, I don't think insurance companies rely very much on code compliance to deny claims (unless it is a huge claim). Mostly, they just pay claims and raise the premiums to a profitable level. They would rather keep the customers happy by paying a claim and raise the premium.

[jimhoward]

I think it would help DIYers cost and bureaucracy-wise. $7500 is a pretty big project if labor is free. On the other hand, a homeowner can make a pretty big mess on a $7500 electrical or plumbing project if there is nobody reviewing plans or inspecting for code compliance. Also, can the state really make such a decision? I thought the counties were in charge of building permits.

[Normal]

7,500 dollars won’t even cover a landscaping remake in most cases.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Normal

7,500 dollars won’t even cover a landscaping remake in most cases.

I don't even think a landscaping project requires a building permit.